Camping questions

Grouchy

I'm wanting to get back into camping after a long time. So pretty much a beginner again and have a few questions. Will be camping in Scotland, mostly 2-4 day trips, mostly spring-autumn, 2 people or by myself. Kit in the back of the car and trying out wild camping, nothing too adventurous to start with. Also, might try camp ground but just to see what it is like - did not like them much in my younger days but covenience may be welcome now I'm older!


1. Was thinking of a Freedom Trail Sendero 4 http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/freedom-trail-sendero-4-tent-p396808 as a good roomy basic tent. Seems to have a lot of good reviews. Only downside I can see with this is that the bedroom area is not darkened. Will I with a bit of practice be able to pitch this by myself?? Anyone got one of these?



2. The tent I'm looking at has a sewn in groundsheet, do I need to buy an additional groundsheet to go beneath the tent?


Got lots of other questions, but these are the main ones for now.


thanks for any help.

Inner_Zone

1. That's a big tent for 2-4 days stops, IMHO. But it's your choice.

2. Yes defiantly, otherwise something in the ground might damage the tents ground sheet (been there got the tee shirt), it may still happen with a second one but it offers some protection. Personally I use a green plastic tarpaulin under mine.

Rosemary7391

It's also a big tent to be lugging around if you're wild camping! Make sure you check the restrictions around Loch Lomond and the Trossachs if you're staying near the road.

glennevis

You can get tents with an additional groundsheet, it is called a footprint.

FreeBear

glennevis wrote: »

You can get tents with an additional groundsheet, it is called a footprint.

Or pick up a piece of DPM plastic from a builder's merchant. For a lightweight alternative, I've used mylar space blankets before now under a tent.

Rosemary7391 wrote: »

It's also a big tent to be lugging around if you're wild camping!

Also darned heavy at 8.8Kgs - I know people that go off for weeks at a time and their entire kit weighs less than that. Myself, I've taken to using a Rab Silwing coupled with a bivy bag from Alpkit and a Z-Rest mattress. Super light and versatile pitching options, but not for everyone.

pogofish

Grouchy wrote: »

Will be camping in Scotland, mostly 2-4 day trips, mostly spring-autumn, 2 people or by myself. Kit in the back of the car and trying out wild camping,

With the caveat that some areas are pretty easy going about this (eg Western Isles) and that there are still a few places where camping with vehicles has been traditionally tolerated (although they are getting less by the year), please remembers that activities involving "motorised recreation" are specifically excluded from access rights by the Land Reform Act 2003.

Also don't assume that a car park by (say) a remote beauty spot, church or graveyard is a perfect place to pitch - Some of the most welcoming communities in Scotland have had their hospitality stretched to the limits or put unfer severe environmental stress by people doing just this. Remember some are still actually used or mean a lot to the communities concerned, even if there isn't a house for miles. Respect goes both ways.

Here's the C&V:

Which activities are excluded from access rights?

Access rights don't extend to:

Being on or crossing land for the purpose of doing anything which is an offence, such as theft, breach of the peace, nuisance, poaching, allowing a dog to worry livestock, dropping litter, polluting water or disturbing certain wild birds, animals and plants
Hunting, shooting, fishing
Any form of motorised recreation or passage (except by people with a disability using a vehicle or vessel adapted for their use)
Anyone responsible for a dog which is not under proper control, or
Anyone taking away anything from the land for a commercial purpose.
Other related legislation supporting access to the countryside:

From here:
https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/planning-and-environment/guidance-responsible-outdoor-access

So if you are planning on doing some wild camping with a car, please don't assume tou can just park-up and pitch. Park your car safely and suitably, then walk some distance away, pref out of sight of of the vehicle or any residences before you pitch. That way you won't be annoying anyone and keeping within the spirit of the code.

Its just that all too many visitors have been abusing things and some areas are getting royally hacked-off about it, which might in future see an extension of the likes of bans like around Loch Lomond and permit schemes - eg the wider Trossachs NP. Which spoils it for all of us.

Gloomendoom

I used to wild camp, both with a car and on foot, all over Scotland (and England) from the late 70's up to the mid 90's. I rarely saw anybody else doing the same and only ever had positive contact with locals.

Since then, there has been an explosion in popularity of outdoor recreation in general, so I suppose it is inevitable that tolerance will be tested and restrictions introduced.

Norman_Castle

2. The tent I'm looking at has a sewn in groundsheet, do I need to buy an additional groundsheet to go beneath the tent?

I've never used one. The tent you've linked to will have a thick pvc groundsheet, difficult to damage and easy to repair. Just check the ground before pitching.


That tent belongs on a campsite.

Inner_Zone

glennevis wrote: »

You can get tents with an additional groundsheet, it is called a footprint.

Agreed but a tarp is usually cheaper.

Grouchy

Thanks to all for replies, all really useful, and yes, I need a bit of a reality check from people who are actually experienced in this, so that info is all welcome. The warnings are useful and needed and hope not to be too put off as I now have money and time to do this sort of thing and really want to give it a good try.



I have looked closely at the Access rights for Scotland so am informed about that, and of course, would not consider doing anything negative. The mention of 'where to park the car' was useful to hear as I have been pondering that. I had a rather rosy idea of pulling up and pitching not too far away and still having a lovely setting. Good to rethink that. I guess the more populated areas will be most difficult - ie central belt. This is where I plan to be doing a bit of trial run, either the Fife coast between St Andrews and Anstruther or the East Lothian coast between N Berwick and Eyemouth.



Tent - I too thought the tent was a bit too big and elaborate, but OH was adamant about not wanting to crawl into the tent (too claustrophobic) and have something roomy. I was thinking of something like this

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/freedom-trail-lombok-250-p396717?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI46f54em03AIVyr3tCh2X2wMMEAQYASABEgLS__D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CJHhn-TptNwCFaikUQodYaAPcA
or this
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/freedom-trail-shadow-250-tent-p429811?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI46f54em03AIVyr3tCh2X2wMMEAQYAiABEgKWKfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CLbmxPDptNwCFce1UQod9C8OEA


to start with, but OH flatly said no. I may end up buying both, the smaller one for me to go solo, though I could not see much difference between the two smaller tents apart from one had a 'blackout' fabric for sleeping.


I'm wondering if the larger tent may be used, as mentioned above, for more 'formal' camping, a smaller campsite or farm or similar, I will have to look into the options on that. The smaller tent gives much more options.


Thanks for the groundsheet comments, will ponder.


As mentioned, I have found that there are areas, Western Isles etc. which are perhaps wilder and more in line with what I was rosily thinking, but I think this would be too adventurous as a starting point. Want to get my feet wet so to speak with something more doable.


I'm off to the bookshop later so will see what they have. Any recommendations?



thanks all

pogofish

Grouchy wrote: »

As mentioned, I have found that there are areas, Western Isles etc. which are perhaps wilder and more in line with what I was rosily thinking, but I think this would be too adventurous as a starting point. Want to get my feet wet so to speak with something more doable.

Actually, you might be surprised at how welcoming and helpful the Western Isles are to wild campers. Although REP on the ferries has begun to change things, their relative remoteness means they were glad for any visitors they could get - and some communities have made nice little "wild" camp sites, where you can park and pitch, they can be quite wild/rough (eg South Harris estate) but in magnificent settings and a few have basic facilities for anyone to use, free, or via a very small charge payable on eBay or the local post office/shop etc - oh and spend a few quid when you are in there, again it is appreciated.

Go to other places, like Ulapool or Torridon however, where the popularity of the NC500 has seen visitor numbers rocket, and see how people happily park-up camper vans, right in front of houses, or fill every lay-by for miles either side of the towns every night with little care for disposing of litter/biological waste and you appreciate the other side of the problem.